Microgravity: A Unique Environment for Space Research
Microgravity isn't the absence of gravity, but rather an extremely weak gravitational field (1/1000th to 1/1,000,000th of Earth's gravity). The International Space Station, contrary to popular belief, isn't in zero-G, but experiences continuous freefall, creating the sensation of weightlessness. In microgravity, fluids, cell growth, combustion, and crystal formation behave differently, offering unique experimental possibilities. Spark Gravity is focused on programmable gravity, bridging the gap in current research limited to either full gravity or zero-G environments on Earth and the ISS. Their goal is to allow scientists to control gravity as a variable, simulate lunar, Martian, or deep space environments, and conduct long-duration studies without the need for a full space station.